3 X 180 Degrees: Ode to Change

1. Barack Obama...
What a moment in history! Approximately 400 year ago, America began enslaving black Africans and did not stop for 2.5 centuries. The process to abolish slavery was a controversial and bloody ordeal: America's infamous civil war was deemed necessary to actually get the movement going. Under the leadership of Abraham Lincoln, a Republican, the thirteenth amendment to the United States Constitution was passed in 1865. This amendment officially ended slavery as we understand it today. At the time, southern Democrats endorsed slavery. Now America has elected a Democrat President with African roots. It is about time!

2. Toronto Maple Leafs...
While many will argue that the Maple Leafs haven't really changed for years (it has been a long time since they experienced a successfully playoff run), last Saturday's game was a breath of fresh air. As quoted on TSN:

"The New York Rangers were cruising along with a 2-0 lead midway through the third period and seemed destined to leave a sleepy Air Canada Centre with a win on Saturday. Then Mitchell scored his first NHL goal and things got wacky, as the Maple Leafs ended up beating Steve Valiquette four more times in a span of 5:21 to pull out a 5-2 victory."

My husband and my father-in-law (who are HUGE Leaf fans) went from disgusted boredom to jubilant cheering. It was GREAT to witness their glee at Toronto's victory over the number one team in the east.

3. Motherhood...
I've gone from working 50+ hours a week with adults and teenagers to being available to one little girl 24/7. At one time my day consisted of factoring polynomials, classifying elements, and reading educational literature. Now I focus on diaper changes, creating new concoctions of baby food, and studying baby books. I used to stare out at sea of faces: some appeared bored while others were engaged with the complex world of mathematics and science. These days I gaze into an adorable face with gorgeous gray eyes. And yes, she is sometimes bored too! And at other times she is engaged with the simplest things, like a thin gold chain around my neck! I count it a privilege to be home with her.

Three different 180 degree changes. One has made world history. Another has been joyfully entertaining. And the last one has delightfully changed my life. And all three are welcomed... by me, anyway...

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